Late Holohan goal gets promotion push back on track

HARTLEPOOL UTD 2 YEOVIL TOWN 1

stages went to the away side though when Rhys Murphy brought a wonderful save from Ben Killip in the Hartlepool goal.

Carl Dickinson sent Josh Neufville clear down the left and his cross GAVAN Holohan scored in injury found Murphy at the second time of time as Hartlepool came from behind asking just outside the six-yard box against Yeovil Town to get their and his curled effort was destined for promotion push back on track. the bottom corner but for the

It comes at the end of an indifferent fingertips of Killip. week for Pools who suffered a setback It was a game of few at Eastleigh in midweek before chances in the first discovering their National League half as Rhys Oates campaign will continue after clubs tried to improvise, voted against declaring the season but his strike null and void. from the angle

However, it looked like Dave of the penalty Challinor’s side would drop points area went for the second time this week after narrowly over Tom Knowles’ spectacular opener the bar before early in the second half gave the David Glovers the lead. Ferguson tried

But Pools got themselves back on similar from a level terms through Luke Armstrong’s short corner eighth goal of the season before routine but he too Holohan converted from close range was off target. to seal a dramatic turnaround. Pools started the

The win sees Hartlepool move back second half brightly as Oates up to third in the National League cut inside from the right to test Adam table at the halfway stage of the Smith in the opening seconds before season. he wasted a golden opportunity in

Challinor made two changes to the 51st minute. the team who lost at Eastleigh, Lewis Cass did well to win the ball bringing in Gary Liddle and captain back inside the Yeovil half and Ryan Donaldson for Timi Odusina release Tom White down the right and the injured Jamie Sterry. and his inviting cross found Oates

Having fell behind inside 40 unmarked at the back post but he seconds in midweek Pools were keen guided his header wide. to start brightly here and were close The home side were made to rue to taking the lead in the second that missed chance as three minutes minute. later the visitors took the lead with a

Armstrong was able to gather Mark stunning strike.

Shelton’s low cross from the right, Smith’s route-one goal-kick was but the in-form striker was forced chested into the path of Knowles and wide and could only find the side the midfielder took aim from 25 netting. yards to find the top corner with

The best chance Killip at full stretch.

of the opening

It is the first time Pools have trailed at Victoria Park since their defeat to Boreham Wood in early December, but Challinor’s side showed why they have such a good home record as they found a way back into the game through Armstrong.

Oates wriggled free on the left to slide a pass into Holohan and he was able to fashion a strike at goal from the angle of the six yard box that Smith could only parry into the path of Armstrong for a simple tap-in.

Armstrong almost doubled his tally from the restart when he chased a long ball into the area and managed to get a fierce strike at goal from a tight angle that was blocked on the line.

Pools had to wait until stoppage time to seal their comeback as substitute Mason Bloomfield’s header landed nicely for Armstrong who slid in Joe Grey.

But just as the chance seemed to have got away from Grey, he was able to beat his man and find Holohan at the back post to snatch all three points and seal Pools’ seventh successive win at Victoria Park.

HARTLEPOOL: Killip, Cass, Donaldson © (Bloomfield ’89), Johnson, Ferguson, Liddle, Shelton, White (Crawford ’58), Holohan, Oates (Grey ’76), Armstrong. Subs: Williams, Odusina

YEOVIL: Smith, Dickinson ©, Worthington, Murphy (Quigley ’67), Smith (Dagnall ’90), Skendi, Knowles (Warburton ’90), Neufville, Hunt, Bradley, Reid. Subs: Kelly, Evans